Burglars and car thieves are warned the net is closing in on them in a police crackdown.

Over the next three months extra officers will be on patrol, spot checks will be made and hotspots targeted in a bid to make Sunderland even safer.

Det Insp Graeme Rowlings, of Sunderland Police, said: "As a result of this operation there will be considerably less people who have been a victim of crime, who have suffered from burglaries and have suffered from car crime in Sunderland.

"We will be targeting known burglars and car criminals, getting them off the streets and making sure people in Sunderland are free from fear of crime and disorder.

"We are determined to keep our focus on tackling burglars and car criminals and putting them behind bars. But we cannot achieve this alone and we would ask residents to make sure they keep their homes and cars secure at all times."

He said in many cases thieves did not have to force entry into homes but were able to let themselves in through unlocked doors or windows.